
08 Feb 2023
That’s what these Brisbane restaurants are promising, with sumptuous festive buffets and creative set menus designed to take the stress out of entertaining, so you can celebrate the silly season without fuss. Find out what these great restaurants are cooking up this Christmas…
What better way to enjoy your Christmas Day feast than in five-star French elegance?
Brisbane Central’s Sofitel is offering a chance to do exactly that this year, with a range of festive-themed events throughout December.
Our top pick is the Christmas Day lunch, a multi-stationed buffet bursting with fresh seafood, salads, meat, international dishes and desserts. The package includes beverages – plus, rumour has it Santa may make an appearance bearing gifts for the little ones!
You can either join the waitlist for lunch or secure a dinner booking right away.
Dish Cult’s top pick: Christmas Day menu ($310 per adult, $80 – $100 per child)
Goldfinch is a light-filled, upscale sidewalk restaurant and bar – perfect for a sophisticated Christmas lunch or dinner with friends.
This year, they’re putting on a toothsome Christmas food extravaganza that includes a seafood buffet and a live carving station offering roasts with all your favourite trimmings.
Anticipate A-grade local fare, such as Moreton Bay Bugs, Mooloolaba king prawns, reef fish and summer vegetable tagine. And an entire menu of festive desserts will be on the table, too, of course.
Look out for the entertainment that’s in store. There’ll be a live soloist on the day, bottomless beers and bubbles, and a Christmas gift from Santa for the little ones.
Dish Cult’s top pick: Christmas Day lunch or dinner ($289 per adult, $89 – $149 per child)
There’s nothing more Aussie than a Christmas Day lunch out in the sun – either on the beach or at the park by the barbie.
Fortunately, the culinary team at Treasury Hotel is curating two different Christmas Day takeaway hampers to take all the prep work off your hands.
The Traditional Christmas Hamper is for those who are purists at heart. It includes classics like roast turkey supreme with cranberry stuffing and gravy, baked ham, roast beef, mountains of sides, and traditional festive desserts like rum balls, fruit mince tarts and yule log.
Craving something a bit more globally inspired? Opt for the Taste of Asia festive hamper instead. This one’s got lotus root chips, crispy pork belly, whole peking duck with pancakes, hokkien noodle and more, with a range of interesting Asian-style desserts. Try the pandan brulee.
Both hampers can be upgraded to include prawns at an additional cost.
Dish Cult’s top pick: Taste of Asia hamper ($115pp for four guests or more)
Brisbane seafood lovers will be congregating at Gambaro this Chrissie, attracted by the esteemed CBD restaurant’s elaborate annual yuletide feast and live Christmas carolers.
This year, an indulgent four-course set menu celebrates fresh local Aussie produce and festive favourites. A highlight is the prawn and Moreton Bay bug dish with gem lettuce, grilled nectarine and cocktail sauce. (An additional kid-friendly menu will make sure fussy ones are taken care of.)
The star of the show is a glistening roast porchetta with apple and raisin stuffing. Enjoy it with sides, pavlova dessert and as many bevvies as you like.
The price includes sparkling champers on arrival, a three-hour beverage package and a special appearance from Saint Nicholas himself.
Dish Cult’s top pick: Christmas Day lunch ($220 per adult, $75 – $115 per child)
Forget Christmas lunch or dinner…what about breakfast? Those of us with small children know the festivities begin as soon as the sun rises and gifts are exchanged.
If your family typically gets a case of the belly rumbles right away, head straight to chic Vintaged Bar and Grill in The Hilton for their scrumptious Christmas Day breakfast.
Feast on seasonal summer fruit, fruit mince pies, cereals, yogurts, freshly baked breakfast pastries and traditional panettone. You’ll also get to chow down on all your favourite classic breakfast dishes, plus glazed ham and sliced turkey breast from the hot buffet.
If you’d rather sleep in and grab lunch instead, Executive Chef Dario Fiorino is putting on a three-course meal later in the day. A booking gets you a glass of sparkling on arrival, a succulent seafood tower, followed by your choice of main and an impressive dessert buffet.
Additional beverage packages are also available for purchase. Bottoms up!
Dish Cult’s top pick: Christmas Day breakfast ($75 per adult, $35 per child)